Fastener tapes

ABSTRACT

Cooperative touch fasteners are described herein. The fasteners have a sheet-form base portion with an upper face and a lower face. Extending outwardly from, and integral with the upper face of the base portion is a plurality of fastener elements. Additionally, the lower face of the sheet-form base has a pressure adhesive property and is coated with a cross-linkable adhesive. The cooperative touch fasteners can be used to alter garments, hang window coverings and attach finishing covers. Additionally, the fasteners can be used in place of snaps and buttons, in medical devices, with diapers and in conjunction with a variety of manufacturing techniques.

This application is a continuation-in-part of international applicationnumber PCT/US2004/006194, filed 1 Mar. 2004, and is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/376,495, filed 28Feb. 2003. The entire contents of these priority applications areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to cooperative touch fasteners.

BACKGROUND

The majority of consumers purchase clothing and other garments instandard sizes, such as small, medium and large. Often times, thesegarments are not a perfect fit for the consumer. For example, if aperson buys a shirt or coat that is large enough around the torso, thesleeves of the shirt might require shortening. The consumer can pay tohave the garment altered, which for many is cost prohibitive, or if theconsumer has the sewing skills and equipment, he can alter the garmenthimself. Frequently, the consumer has neither the money nor the skillsto alter his clothing but instead wears clothes that don't have an idealfit. Thus, it is desirable to provide to consumers a product that allowsthe user to alter clothing without sewing. It is also desirable thatmanufacturers be able to adjust the positioning of fasteners onproducts.

Improved means for adjusting and securing fasteners, particularly touchfasteners such as hook-and-loop or inter-engaging projection arrayfasteners, to underlying substrates are sought. Also sought are improvedmeans of temporarily holding a fastener in place until permanent bindingis achieved.

Some products used to alter garments include a fabric tape which may beironed on to a garment by melting a fusible resin, e.g., a thermoplasticpolymer, carried on one surface of the tape (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.5,006,393). Some tapes include cooperating touch fastener elementsextending from the opposite surface of the tape. When the garment issubjected to heat greater than the melting point of the resin, as mayoccur during drying in a clothes dryer, the resin can melt and cause thetape to disengage from the garment.

SUMMARY

In general, the invention features positionable and securablecooperative touch fasteners and methods of making and using such touchfasteners. The touch fasteners can include a first surface carrying aplurality of fastener elements, and an opposite surface that carries apressure sensitive adhesive that adheres the opposite surface to asubstrate (e.g., fabric, leather, or wood) when pressure is applied tothe touch fastener.

In one aspect, the invention features a touch fastener. The touchfastener includes a sheet-form base having an upper face and a lowerface. A plurality of discrete fastener elements extend outwardly fromthe upper face of the base, and the lower face of the base includes anadhesive layer having a pressure-sensitive portion and a cross-linkableadhesive.

In some embodiments, the cross-linkable adhesive is also pressuresensitive, or is encapsulated in a pressure sensitive adhesive in thepressure-sensitive portion.

In other embodiments, the touch fastener has an area of pressuresensitive adhesive and an area of cross-linkable adhesive.

In some embodiments, the fastener elements are hooks. In some instances,the hooks are integrally molded with the upper face of the base portion.The hooks can have a height of less than about 0.05 inch (1.27millimeters), e.g., between about 0.005 and 0.05 inch (0.127 and 1.27millimeters). In some cases, the hooks are arranged in an array thatcovers substantially the entire upper face of the base portion. The hookdensity can be at least about 100 hooks per square inch (15.5 hooks persquare centimeter), e.g., at least about 1000 hooks per square inch (155hooks per square centimeter). In some cases, the fastener elementsinclude stems with rounded or planar heads (i.e., mushrooms). In somecases, the fastener elements include palm tree hooks.

In some embodiments, the fastener elements are loops. The loops can beof a knit, woven, or non-woven material.

In some cases, the base is a woven material from which the fastenerelements extend as filaments ends.

In some embodiments, the cross-linking adhesive is heat activated, e.g.,a curable hot melt adhesive or a urethane.

In other embodiments, the cross-linking adhesive is moisture activated,e.g., a urethane.

In some embodiments the cross-linkable adhesive is radiation activated,e.g., acrylic. The radiation can be UV, for example.

In some embodiments, the touch fastener further comprises a releaseliner covering the pressure-sensitive portion.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of permanentlybonding a touch fastener to a material. The method includes providing atouch fastener having a sheet-form base with an upper face and a lowerface. A plurality of discrete fastener elements extend outwardly fromthe upper face of the base portion, and the lower face includes anadhesive layer with a pressure-sensitive portion and a cross-linkableadhesive. The touch fastener is pressed against the material totemporarily adhere the touch fastener to the material in a desiredlocation. Then the touch fastener is permanently bonded to the materialby cross-linking the cross-linkable adhesive in the desired location.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of positioning atouch fastener. The method includes adhering a touch fastener withpressure at an initial location on a material. The touch fastener has asheet-form base portion with an upper face and a lower face. A pluralityof discrete fastener elements extend outwardly from the upper face ofthe base, and the lower face has an adhesive layer with apressure-sensitive portion and a cross-linkable adhesive. Thereafter,the method includes determining whether the initial location of thetouch fastener is a desirable location, if the initial location is not adesirable location, the touch fastener is repositioned to a secondlocation. Once the touch fastener is in a desirable location, thecross-linkable adhesive is cross-linked, thereby permanently bonding thetouch fastener to the desirable location on the material.

Another aspect of the invention features a method of altering a garment.The method includes temporarily adhering a first portion of a touchfastener to one region of a garment, the first portion of the touchfastener having a sheet-form base portion with an upper face and a lowerface. A plurality of discrete fastener elements extend outwardly fromthe upper face, and the lower face has an adhesive layer with apressure-sensitive portion and a cross-linkable adhesive. The methodfurther includes temporarily adhering a second portion of a touchfastener to another region of the garment, the second portion of thetouch fastener having a sheet-form base with an upper face and a lowerface. A plurality of discrete fastener elements extend outwardly fromthe upper face of the base portion and are configured to engage thefastener elements of the first portion, and the lower face has anadhesive layer with a pressure-sensitive portion and a cross-linkableadhesive. It is determined whether the first and second portions are atdesirable initial locations and if necessary either or both of the firstand second portions are repositioned. Once each of the first and secondtouch fastener portions is in desirable location, it is permanentlybonded to a respective region of the fabric by cross-linking thecross-linkable adhesive. The touch fasteners are then fastened bytouching the first and second portions together, thereby altering thegarment.

In some embodiments, the alteration includes changing the hem of a pantor changing the length of a sleeve.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of hanging windowcoverings. The method includes temporarily adhering on one region of awindow covering a first portion of a touch fastener having a sheet-formbase portion with an upper face and a lower face. A plurality ofdiscrete fastener elements extend outwardly from the upper face, and thelower face has an adhesive layer with a pressure-sensitive portion and across-linkable adhesive. The method further includes temporarilyadhering at an initial location on a wooden piece adjacent to a window asecond portion of a touch fastener having a sheet-form base portion withan upper face and a lower face. A plurality of discrete fastenerelements extend outwardly from the upper face of the base portion andare configured to engage the fastener elements of the first portion, andthe lower face has an adhesive layer with a pressure-sensitive portionand a cross-linkable adhesive. It is determined whether the first andsecond portions are at desirable initial locations and if necessary,either or both of the first and second portions are repositioned. Onceeach of the first and second touch fastener portions is in a desirablelocation, it is permanently bonded to the respective region of thewooden piece adjacent to the window or the window covering bycross-linking the cross-linkable adhesive. The touch fasteners are thenfastened together by touching the first and second portions together,thereby hanging the window covering.

In another aspect, the invention features method of covering afurnishing with a material. The method includes temporarily adhering afirst portion of a touch fastener to a region of a material, the firstportion of the touch fastener having a sheet-form base portion with anupper face and a lower face. A plurality of discrete fastener elementsextend outwardly from the upper face, and the lower face has an adhesivelayer with a pressure-sensitive portion and a cross-linkable adhesive.The method further includes temporarily adhering a second portion of atouch fastener to one region of the furnishing, the second portion of atouch fastener having a sheet-form base portion with an upper face and alower face. A plurality of discrete fastener elements extend outwardlyfrom the upper face, and the lower face has an adhesive layer with apressure-sensitive portion and a cross-linkable adhesive. It isdetermined whether the first and second portions are at desirableinitial locations, and if necessary either or both of the first andsecond portions are repositioned. Once each of the first and secondtouch fastener portions is in a desirable location, it is permanentlybonded to a respective region of either the material or the furnishingby cross-linking the cross-linkable adhesive. The touch fasteners arethen fastened together by touching the first and second portionstogether, thereby covering the furnishing with material.

In some embodiments the furnishing is a chair, a table or a sofa.

In another aspect, the invention is a method of attaching bedding to asleeping apparatus. The method includes temporarily adhering a firstportion of a touch fastener to one region of a bedding article, thetouch fastener having a sheet-form base portion with an upper face and alower face. A plurality of discrete fastener elements extend outwardlyfrom the upper face, and the lower face has an adhesive layer with apressure-sensitive portion and a cross-linkable adhesive. The methodfurther includes temporarily adhering a second portion of a touchfastener to one region of a sleeping apparatus, the second portion ofthe touch fastener having a sheet-form base portion with an upper faceand a lower face. A plurality of discrete fastener elements extendoutwardly from the upper face, and the lower face has an adhesive layerwith a pressure-sensitive portion and a cross-linkable adhesive. It isdetermined whether the first and second portions are at desirableinitial locations on either the bedding article or sleeping apparatus,and repositioning either or both of the first and second portions asnecessary. Once each of the first and second touch fastener portions isin a desirable location, it is permanently bonded to the respectiveregion of the sleeping apparatus or the bedding article by cross-linkingthe cross-linkable adhesive. The touch fasteners are then fastenedtogether by touching the first and second portions together, therebyattaching the bedding to the sleeping apparatus.

In some embodiments the bedding article is a sheet. In otherembodiments, the bedding article is a bed skirt.

In some embodiments, the sleeping apparatus is a bed.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of providing aclosing means in an article. The method includes temporarily adhering afirst portion of a touch fastener to one region of an article, the firstportion of the touch fastener having a sheet-form base portion with anupper face and a lower face. A plurality of discrete fastener elementsextend outwardly from the upper face, and the lower face has an adhesivelayer with a pressure-sensitive portion and a cross-linkable adhesive.The method further comprises temporarily adhering a second portion of atouch fastener to a region of an article, the second portion of thetouch fastener having a sheet-form base portion with an upper face and alower face. A plurality of discrete fastener elements extend outwardlyfrom the upper face, and the lower face has an adhesive layer with apressure-sensitive portion and a cross-linkable adhesive. It isdetermined whether the first and second portions are at desirableinitial locations on the article, and either or both of the first andsecond portions are repositioned as necessary. Once each of the firstand second touch fastener portions is in a desirable location, it ispermanently bonded to a respective region of the article bycross-linking the cross-linkable adhesive. The touch fasteners are thenfastened together by touching the first and second portions together,thereby providing a closing means in the article.

In some embodiments, the article is a purse. In some cases, the purse ismade of fabric. In other cases, the purse is made of leather. In stillother embodiments, the purse is made from a combination of fabric andleather.

In some embodiments, the article is a sleeping bag.

In other embodiments, the article is a diaper or a medical device suchas a knee, ankle, or wrist brace.

The application of pressure alone need not result in a permanent bond ofthe touch fastener to the material; rather, the touch fastener can berepositioned in the event that the initial position of the touchfastener on the substrate is not the desired position. Once the touchfastener is in the desired position, the user can cure a cross-linkableadhesive that is also carried on the opposite surface of the touchfastener to provide a permanent chemical bond between the touch fastenerand the substrate.

The pressure sensitive adhesive provides a means of attaching the touchfastener to a material in a non-permanent manner. This allows the userto reposition the touch fastener in the event that its initial positionis not ideal. For example, if the touch fastener is being used to altera garment, e.g., shorten a hem on a pant leg, the user might have toestimate the desired position of the touch fasteners. Because the touchfasteners are repositionable, the user can alter the position of thetouch fasteners in the event the initial position was not the mostdesired position, e.g., the length of the pants with the alteration istoo long or too short.

In many applications, the touch fasteners will be exposed to heat andwater, such as a washer and dryer. Adhesives that are heat-softenable(e.g., thermoplastics) are often unable to withstand laundering, inparticular the heat from a dryer, and thus touch fasteners using suchadhesives may fall off when subjected to such conditions. On the otherhand, the cross-linkable polymer provides a permanent bond between thetouch fastener and the material that withstands heat as well asmoisture.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of complementary touch fasteners, includingthe fastener elements, the sheet-form base, and adhesive.

FIG. 2 depicts a view of the lower portion of the sheet-form base,wherein the sheet-form base is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesiveand a cross-linkable adhesive.

FIG. 3 shows an example in which the sheet-form base is coated with across-linkable adhesive that is encapsulated in a pressure sensitiveadhesive.

FIG. 3A shows an example in which the sheet-form base is coated with across-linkable adhesive and catalyst, both of which are encapsulated ina pressure sensitive adhesive.

FIG. 3B shows an example in which the sheet-form base carries anadhesive layer than includes a coating of a reactable adhesive and atacky film of pressure sensitive adhesive.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a flat-topped mushroom hook.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a palm tree hook.

FIGS. 6 a-6 c depict a schematic representation of the use of touchfasteners to alter the length of a pant leg.

FIGS. 7 a-7 b depict a diagrammatic representation of the use of touchfasteners as an alternative to buttons or snaps.

FIGS. 8 a-8 d depict a schematic representation of using touch fastenersto cover a chair with material.

FIGS. 9 a-9 c depict a schematic representation of using touch fastenersto hang window coverings.

FIGS. 10 a-10 b depict a schematic representation of using touchfasteners to provide a closing mechanism in a purse.

FIGS. 11 a-11 c depict a diagrammatic representation of the use of touchfasteners in the manufacture of diapers.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a touch fastener 10 includes a male fastenercomponent 10 a, and a female fastener component 10 b. Each of thefastener components includes a plurality of cooperative touch fastenerelements, i.e., hooks 12 on fastener component 10 a, and loops 14 onfastener component 10 b. The cooperative touch fastener elements extendfrom one surface 18 of a sheet-form base 16. The opposite surface of thebase 16 is coated with a curable, cross-linkable adhesive 20, and apressure sensitive adhesive 22.

The cooperative touch fasteners can be molded or woven. U.S. Pat. No.5,945,131 is incorporated by reference in its entirety, and relates tomolded touch fasteners having a plurality of discrete fastener elementsthat extend outwardly from, and integral with base layer, wherein stemsof the fastener elements are integrally molded to the base. U.S. Pat.No. 5,996,189 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, andrelates to woven touch fasteners having a main fabric body with a wovenbase and an array of fibrous fastener elements anchored to andprojecting from the woven base.

As shown on FIG. 2, the bottom surface of the sheet-form base 16includes distinct portions, a first portion being coated with thecross-linkable adhesive 20 and a second portion being coated with thepressure sensitive adhesive 22. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, thepressure sensitive adhesive 22 is coated as a strip in the middleportion of the sheet-form base 16, and the cross-linkable adhesive 20 iscoated adjacent to the pressure sensitive adhesive on the either side ofthe strip of pressure sensitive adhesive.

While the hooks shown in FIG. 1 are inverted J-shape hooks, other typesof hooks can also be used. The hooks can be in many different shapes,including inverted J-shape, flat-topped mushroom (FIG. 4), and palm tree(FIG. 5). The loops shown in FIG. 1 can be any structure or materialknown in the art, for example, the loop can be of a knit, woven, ornon-woven material, and can be of filaments or fibers comprising nylons,polyesters, polypropylenes, or co-polymers thereof, as examples.

The pressure sensitive adhesive 22 provides a means of attaching thetouch fastener to a material (such as fabric, wood, or leather) in anon-permanent manner. This non-permanent attachment allows the user toattach the touch fastener to a garment or other item, determine whetherthe touch fastener is in the ideal position, and then reposition thetouch fastener in the event that the initial position is not in theideal position. Examples of pressure sensitive adhesives includewater-based adhesives such as those commercially available from NationalStarch Nacor® (72-8685) or Bostik-Findley (M2289); and hot melt pressuresensitive adhesives such as those commercially available fromBostik-Findley (HL 2211).

In some instances, the pressure sensitive adhesive is water soluble,providing the benefit that once the adhesive is in place and cured, thepressure sensitive adhesive can be washed away, leaving only thepermanent chemical bond of the cross-linked polymer.

Once the touch fastener is in the desired position, the user canpermanently attach the touch fastener to the material by curing thecross-linkable adhesive 20. The cross-linkable adhesives are generallypolymers. The curing (i.e., cross-linking) of the polymer generallyrequires an initiating event and can be accomplished by a variety ofmeans that are generally dependent on the polymer. Some means ofinitiating cross-linking of polymers include heat (e.g., iron, blowdryer, hot air gun, or heated nip roll), moisture (e.g., water orsteam), and radiation (e.g., visible light, infrared, RF, uv ormicrowave).

Examples of moisture cure adhesives include curable hot melt adhesivesand urethanes. Such adhesives are commercially available, e.g., fromBostik-Findly, Adhesive Films, and Gorilla Glue®.

Examples of heat-cured adhesives include, curable hot melt adhesives andurethane. Such adhesives are commercially available, e.g., fromBostik-Findley, Adhesive Films, Adhesives Research Inc., and Bemis.

Examples of radiation-cured adhesives include, acrylics epoxies,silicones, acrylates, olefins, and urethanes. Where a radiation curedpolymer is used, the sheet form base can be fashioned to have somedegree of transparency, thus allowing radiation applied at the frontface of the fastener to reach the polymer and effect the cross-linking.Alternatively, the sheet form base can include holes, allowing theradiation to reach areas of the cross-linking adhesive, to provide apermanent bond of the touch fastener to the material.

The cross-linkable adhesive, once cured, forms a permanent chemical bondbetween the sheet-form base and the material. The resulting chemicalbond is resistant to conditions such as moisture and heat and thereforeis useful in applications where the desired product is exposed to water(e.g., a washing machine or rain) and/or heat (e.g., a drying machine orsummer sun).

The adhesive may be applied to the lower face of the sheet-form baseusing any desired coating or laminating technique, e.g., by laminating atransfer film to the base with a heated nip roll.

In some embodiments, the touch fasteners are used as a tool for thealteration of garments (e.g., hemming pants, shortening sleeves,altering the length of a jacket). The touch fasteners provide apractical means of fitting a garment for persons without the time,skills or the required equipment needed to provide alterations by sewingthe garment. While clothing is sold in standard sizes for the person ofa set proportion, not all consumers fit the proportions of clothing soldon the rack. However, the alteration of clothing can be expensive, andfor many consumers is cost prohibitive.

FIGS. 6 a-6 c provide a schematic diagram of a consumer altering agarment using the cooperative touch fasteners 10 a and 10 b shown inFIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 6 a, a user has purchased a pair of pants 24that need to be altered (i.e., shortened). The user can initially try onthe pants 24, folding the leg of the pant in the desired position, e.g.,to have a cuff 26 as shown in FIG. 6 b. As shown in FIG. 6 c, aftertrying on the pants 24, the user can remove the pants and position thecooperative touch fasteners 10 a and 10 b so that the female touchfastener and male touch fastener, when contacting each other, producethe desired pant length, i.e., by providing cuff 26. In some instances,the user is trying on the pants 24 without the aid of another person,and therefore must estimate the location of the fold and location of thetouch fasteners 10 a and 10 b. Because the touch fasteners arerepositionable, the user can try on and reposition the touch fastenersrepeatedly until the desired length is achieved. For example, the usercan position the female touch fastener 10 b, and reposition only themale fastener 10 a, to adjust the size of the fold and thus the lengthof the pants. Once both the female and male touch fasteners are in thedesired position, the user can permanently attach them to the garment,for example by using heat and/or steam from an iron 28 (see FIG. 6 c).Thus, the touch fasteners allow the length of the pants to be easilyaltered without the need for a tailor or sewing skills or equipment.

The cooperative touch fasteners can also be used as a replacement forsnaps and buttons. For example, referring to FIG. 7 a, the cooperativetouch fasteners 10 a and 10 b are positioned on a headpiece 30. To placethe garment in position, i.e., to cover the head of the user with theheadpiece 30, the opening on the headpiece 30, must be relatively large.However, once the headpiece 30 is in position, the opening needs to beclosed to provide a snug fit for the user. Whereas the use of buttons orsnaps requires sewing, the same function can be achieved using thecooperative touch fasteners, which can be attached without any sewing atall. Additionally, the male and female touch fasteners 10 a and 10 b arerepositionable, allowing the headpiece 30 to be adjusted until the touchfasteners are in the ideal position to precisely fit the user. Referringto FIG. 7 b, once in the desired location on the headpiece 30, the touchfasteners 10 a and 10 b can be permanently attached using the heat froma hair dryer 32 to cure the cross-linkable adhesive.

The touch fasteners can be used to attach a chair covering material to achair. Referring to FIG. 8 a, male touch fasteners 10 a are positionedon the chair 34 (e.g., on a wooden portion of the chair), and, oncepositioned in the proper location, are permanently bonded to the chairusing heat from a hair dryer 32. The cooperative touch fasteners 10 bare positioned on the chair covering material 36.

Referring to FIGS. 8 b and 8 c, if touch fastener 10 b is positionedincorrectly when initially positioned on the material 36, the touchfastener 10 b can be removed from its initial position 38 on thematerial 36, and repositioned to a preferred position 40 by reapplyingpressure to the touch fastener. Once the touch fastener 10 b is in thedesired location, it is then permanently attached by curing thecross-linkable adhesive, e.g., using the heat from an iron 28.

The chair 34 is then covered by contacting the touch fasteners together(see FIG. 8 d). While the cooperative touch fasteners are permanentlyattached to the material 36, and chair 34, respectively, the touchfasteners are not permanently attached to each other, but rather theuser can disengage the touch fasteners to remove the material 36 fromthe chair 34. This allows the user to change the chair covers withoutdamage to the material 36 or to the chair 34. For example, using thetouch fasteners, the user can change the material seasonally, or evenmore frequently depending on taste. Moreover, since removal of the chaircovering material does not damage the material, the same chair coveringcan be reused at a later date. This decorating flexibility is notprovided by traditional means of attachment (e.g. glue, staples, orstitching).

The touch fasteners can also be used to hang window coverings (e.g.,curtains). Referring to FIGS. 9 a and 9 b, the male touch fasteners 10 aare positioned on a wooden support or window frame adjacent a window 42(e.g., at the top of the window), and the female touch fasteners 10 bare attached to the curtain material 44, in the same manner discussedabove with reference to FIGS. 8 a-8 d. Once correctly positioned on thewindow and on the material, the touch fasteners are permanently attachedby curing the cross-linkable adhesive with heat from a hair dryer 32.The curtain material 44 is then hung by contacting the cooperative touchfasteners, 10 a and 10 b, together (see FIG. 9 c), properly positionedfor a visually pleasing appearance.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the use of touch fasteners to provide aclosure for a purse 46 (e.g., a substitute for a zipper or a snap).While not all purses are sold having a closure, often such a closure isdesirable to provide deterrence for pickpockets and to prevent itemsfrom falling out of the opening 48 of the purse 46. Using thecooperative touch fasteners, the consumer can add just such a feature toa purse. Male touch fastener components 10 a are positioned on the top,inside edge of the rear portion of the purse 46. Female touch fastenercomponents 10 b are positioned on the top, inside edge of the frontportion of the purse 46 (see FIG. 10 a). Once the touch fasteners arecorrectly positioned, the cross-linkable adhesive is cured using heatfrom a blow dryer 32 (see FIG. 10 b).

As described above, the touch fasteners can be permanently bonded to afabric by cross-linking the cross-linkable adhesive. In manyapplications, this means of attachment is preferable to conventionalmeans such as attaching the touch fastener by sewing it to the fabric,as the nature of sewing necessarily causes holes in the material. Thepresence of holes in a material is often undesirable where the touchfasteners are attached to a material used as a water resistant barrier.For example, the touch fasteners can be permanently bonded to a weatherresistant jacket (e.g., a jacket made from Gore-Tex®), without causingholes or punctures in the fabrics as would be caused when sewing on azipper, button or snaps. Other examples where the cross-linking means ofattachment is preferable to more conventional means includes attaching awater resistant covering to a tent or to an object such as an umbrellato protect people or objects from the elements such as rain or snow.

Additionally, the cooperative touch fasteners 10 a and 10 b can be usedto provide a means of temporarily attaching one garment to another. Forexample, to help prevent the loss of winter accessories such as scarvesand gloves, the cooperative touch fasteners can be used to provide anattachment point to secure, for example, a scarf to the collar of acoat.

While the examples shown in FIGS. 7-10 b utilize heat from a hair dryeras a curing means, any suitable curing means can be used. For example,heat or moisture curable polymers can be used, and the polymer can becured with heat or steam from an iron.

The touch fasteners can also be used in the manufacture of items made byhand, or for prototyping. For example, if a small amount of an articleis being produced and it is not economical to automate the production,the cooperative touch fasteners provide the ability to quicklymanufacture an article for testing by allowing portions of the articleto be positioned and repositioned as required for an accurate fit. Forexample, the touch fasteners can be used when positioning straps on ashirt or a purse. The cooperative touch fasteners 10 a and 10 b can bepositioned, e.g., on the strap and on the body of the shirt. Oncepositioned, the user can try on the shirt, and reposition the straps andtouch fasteners 10 a and 10 b as desired. Once the touch fasteners 10 aand 10 b are positioned such that the article is correctly fitted, thetouch fasteners can be cross-linked to permanently attach them to thearticle.

In addition to clothing, the touch fasteners can be used to custom fitmedical devices such as a wrist, ankle or knee brace. The person wearingthe brace can try various positions for attachment and adjust theposition of the touch fasteners 10 a and 10 b (or at least one of 10 aand 10 b) to provide an accurate fit (i.e., to prevent restrictingcirculation or prevent shifting of the brace, maintaining it in adesired position). Once in a desired position, the touch fasteners 10 aand/or 10 b can be cross-linked to become permanently attached to themedical device.

The touch fasteners 10 a and 10 b can be used as a means of attachmentin diapers. For example, during manufacture, a touch fastener 10 a canbe stamped onto a diaper 50 to provide a temporary means of attachment.As shown in FIG. 11 a, the touch fastener can then be permanentlyattached using a source of radiation 52, such as a UV lamp to thenpermanently bond the touch fastener to the diaper 50, without the needfor additional contact with the diaper or touch fastener. Whereradiation curable adhesives are used, the sheet form base 16 can be of atransparent material, allowing the radiation to reach the cross-linkableadhesive 22. Alternatively, the sheet form base 16 can include holes,allowing the radiation to reach portions of the cross-linkable adhesive,to secure a permanent connection of the touch fastener 10 a to thematerial. As seen in FIGS. 11 b and 11 c, the holes in the sheet-formbase can be of varying sizes.

The applications described above are examples of the wide variety ofconsumer and manufacturing applications in which the cooperative touchfasteners can be used. These cooperative touch fasteners also have otherapplications, for example with wall hangings. The desired size and shapeof the cooperative touch fastener is dependent on the application of theuser. For example, the length and width of the touch fasteners can varywith the intended use. In some instances, the touch fastener can beformed in the shape of a long strip, similar to that of tape, allowingthe user to cut the touch fastener to the desired length. Alternatively,the touch fastener can be in the shape of circles, squares, orrectangles of various sizes, or can be in the form of a sheet, allowingthe user to cut the touch fastener to a desired shape.

It is important to prevent the premature curing of the cross-linkableadhesive so that the cross-linkable adhesive will still be in a curablecondition when the user wishes to permanently attach the touch fastenerto a surface. For example, where the cross-linkable adhesive is moisturesensitive, the touch fastener can be stored in an air-tight package toprevent the adhesive from curing as a result of contact with ambient airand moisture. The user can then break the seal of the package prior tothe use of the touch fastener.

The sheet-form base can be covered with a release liner to protect thepressure sensitive adhesive and prevent exposure of the adhesive tomoisture. The user then removes the release liner from the sheet-formbase just prior to use.

While FIG. 2 depicts one example of a sheet-form base coated withdiscrete portions of a pressure sensitive adhesive and a cross-linkableadhesive, FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment, in which a sheet-form base116 is coated with a cross-linkable adhesive 120 that is encapsulatedwithin a pressure sensitive adhesive 122. In this case, a user activatesthe adhesive using pressure. The pressure breaks the encapsulation,which exposes the cross-linkable adhesive 20 to the material, thusallowing the cross-linkable adhesive to chemically bond to the materialupon curing. In some instances, referring to FIG. 3 a, cross-linkableadhesive and catalyst are both encapsulated within a pressure sensitiveadhesive, where with the application of pressure, the capsules break andexpose the epoxy adhesive to the catalyst, which aids the cross-linkingreaction. The pressure sensitive adhesive 322 is covered with a releaseliner 330, which is removed prior to use of touch fastener 310.

In some embodiments, the adhesive is both pressure sensitive andcross-linkable, and thus the sheet-form base is coated with a singleadhesive. In this instance, the adhesive is initially pressure sensitiveand non-cross-linked. Application of both heat and pressure (e.g.,application of an iron) cross-links the adhesive, thus permanentlybonding the touch fasteners to the material.

In some embodiments, the adhesive is a semi-tacky, heat activatedadhesive. The adhesive coating, as applied to the sheet-form base 16,has a light tacky quality, providing pressure sensitive adhesiveproperties. The application of heat and or pressure to the sheet-formbase causes the adhesive to cross-link and thus permanently hold to thefabric. Such adhesives are commercially available, and can be purchasedfor example from Bostik-Findley and Collano. Some examples of suchadhesives include Purbond® (HCM VN 55A, HCM VN5551) retractable urethaneadhesives, which have adhesive peel values between 2 and 10 pounds perinch width.

In some embodiments, the sheet-form base is coated with a curable hotmelt adhesive that is encapsulated into a pressure-sensitive hot meltadhesive. The adhesive is activated with pressure, as discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 3, exposing the curable hot melt adhesive. Thecurable hot melt adhesive may be, for example, a room temperaturecurable adhesive. Such adhesives are commercially available and can bepurchased, e.g., from Spring Industries Inc.

In the fastener product 200 of FIG. 3B, the rear face 202 of the resinbase 204 of the fastener tape carries an adjacent coat of reactable hotmelt adhesive 206, covered by a thin film of pressure sensitive adhesive208 that, in turn, is covered by a removable release liner 210.Together, the reactable adhesive 206 and the pressure sensitive adhesive208 form a contiguous layer 212 of adhesive. When the release liner 210is removed, the pressure sensitive film layer is exposed to provide thetacky surface for holding the fastener product in place until thereactable adhesive 206 is cross-linked by, for example, ironing. Thepressure sensitive film is sufficiently thin that the underlyingreactable adhesive provides a secure and direct bond to the fabric whencross-linked. The adhesive layer is of a type of heat activated, tackythermoset bonding tape available from Adhesives Research, Inc. of GlenRock, Pa.

The reactable hot melt layer is softened in a heated lamination nip toinitially soften and bond the adhesive to the back face of the hooktape. This softening and bonding occurs at a significantly lowertemperature than the consumer ironing that permanently sets theadhesive, and does not cross-link the adhesive. Once cross-linked bytemperature in excess of its cross-linking temperature, the adhesive isset and does not subsequently soften upon further applications oftemperature, such as by laundering.

In the preceding example, the reactable adhesive 206 is thermally set orcross-linked, but other types of reactable adhesives are contemplated,such as those that are susceptible to cross-linking by applyingradiation, such as infrared or ultraviolet radiation, or even ultrasonicenergy.

A number of embodiments of the invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the followingclaims.

1. A method of permanently bonding a touch fastener to a material, themethod comprising: providing a touch fastener having a sheet-form basehaving an upper face, a lower face, and a plurality of discrete fastenerelements extending outwardly from the upper face of the base, the lowerface of the base carrying an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer having apressure sensitive surface, the adhesive layer including across-linkable adhesive; pressing the touch fastener against thematerial to temporarily adhere the touch fastener to the material in adesired location; and then cross-linking the cross-linkable adhesivethereby permanently bonding the touch fastener to the material in thedesired location. 2-3. (canceled)
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theadhesive layer contains only one adhesive material, the adhesivematerial being both pressure sensitive and cross-linkable.
 5. The touchfastener of claim 1, wherein the cross-linkable adhesive is pressuresensitive.
 6. The method of claims 1, wherein the cross-linkableadhesive is encapsulated in a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a first area ofpressure sensitive adhesive and a second area of cross-linkableadhesive.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the material comprises afabric.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the fastener elements comprisemolded stems integrally molded with the base.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the fastener elements comprise loop-engageable heads integrallymolded with the molded stems.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein thefastener elements have a height of between about 0.005 and 0.05 inch(0.127 and 1.27 millimeters).
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein thefastener elements are arranged with a hook density of at least about1000 hooks per square inch (155 hooks per centimeter).
 13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the fastener elements comprise loops.
 14. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the base is a woven material from which the fastenerelements extend as a filament ends.
 15. The method of claim 1, whereincross-linking the cross-linkable adhesive comprises heating thecross-linkable adhesive.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the touchfastener further comprises a release liner covering thepressure-sensitive surface.
 17. A method of positioning a touchfastener, the method comprising: temporarily adhering a touch fastenerto a material at an initial location, the touch fastener having asheet-form base with an upper face, a lower face, and a plurality ofdiscrete fastener elements extending outwardly from the upper face ofthe base, the lower face including an adhesive layer having apressure-sensitive surface and comprising a cross-linkable adhesive;determining whether the initial location is a desired location for thetouch fastener; repositioning the touch fastener as necessary to placethe touch fastener in a preferred location; and upon determining thatthe touch fastener is in a desired location, cross-linking thecross-linkable adhesive, thereby permanently bonding the touch fastenerto the material in the desired location.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the adhesive layer contains only one adhesive material, theadhesive material being both pressure sensitive and cross-linkable. 19.The method of claims 17, wherein the cross-linkable adhesive isencapsulated in a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 20. The method of claim17, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a first area of pressuresensitive adhesive and a second area of cross-linkable adhesive.
 21. Amethod of altering a garment, the method comprising: temporarilyadhering a first portion of a touch fastener to one region of a garment,the first portion of the touch fastener having a sheet-form base havingan upper face, a lower face, and a plurality of discreet fastenerelements extending outwardly from the upper face, the lower faceincluding an adhesive layer having a pressure sensitive portion andcomprising a cross-linkable adhesive; temporarily adhering a secondportion of a touch fastener to another region of the garment, the secondportion of the touch fastener having a sheet-form base having an upperface, a lower face, and a plurality of discrete fastener elementsextending outwardly from the upper face of the base of the secondportion and configured to engage the fastener elements of the firstportion, the lower face including an adhesive layer having a pressuresensitive portion and comprising a cross-linkable adhesive; determiningwhether the first and second portions are at a desirable initiallocations and repositioning either or both of the first and secondpositions as necessary; when each of the first and second touch fastenerposition is in a desirable location, permanently bonding that touchfastener portion to a respective regions of the fabric by cross-linkingthe cross-linkable adhesive of the portion; and fastening the first andsecond touch fastener portions together, thereby altering the garment.22. The method of claim 21, wherein altering the garment compriseschanging the hem of the pant.
 23. A touch fastener comprising: asheet-form base having an upper face and a lower face; a plurality ofdiscrete fastener elements extending outwardly from the upper face ofthe base; and an adhesive layer carried on the lower face of the base,the adhesive layer having a pressure sensitive surface to temporarilyadhere the touch fastener to a material in a desired location, theadhesive layer including an adhesive cross-linkable with the touchfastener temporarily adhered in its desired location, to permanentlybond the touch fastener in its desired location. 24-25. (canceled) 26.The touch fastener of claim 23, wherein the adhesive layer contains onlyone adhesive material, the adhesive material being both pressuresensitive and cross-linkable.
 27. The touch fastener of claim 23,wherein the cross-linkable adhesive is pressure sensitive.
 28. The touchfastener of claim 23, wherein the cross-linkable adhesive isencapsulated in a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 29. The touch fastener ofclaim 23, wherein the lower face comprises a first area of pressuresensitive adhesive and a second area of cross-linkable adhesive.
 30. Thetouch fastener of claim 23, wherein the fastener elements comprisemolded stems integrally molded with the upper face of the base.
 31. Thetouch fastener of claim 30, wherein the fastener elements furthercomprise loop-engageable heads integrally molded with the molded stems.